The Buyout

Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn was incorporated as a limited company (no. 273 903) in September 2004. From the outset there was a high degree of enthusiasm in the community for the new Trust which has three community councils and four Local Council representatives within its area.

75% of the population in the 22 crofting townships are members of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn – over 1150 people. Members must be over 16.

The Board of Directors were elected in November 2004 - 30 nominees put themselves forward for 10 directors’ posts. 76% of the Trust’s membership turned out to elect the directors.

Of those eligible to vote in the Trust’s Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 Part 3 buy-out ballot, there was a 72% turnout and an 85% majority ‘YES’ vote (830 individual votes out of 976 returns).

“On this day 12th January 2007 the people of Galson Estate took ownership of their land”